Spring bars Rolex Explorer II 16550 — 20mm vintage
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€12,95
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Cinturini Artigianali
Spring bars Rolex Explorer II 16550 — 20mm vintage
€12,95
Set of two spring bars for Rolex Explorer II reference 16550, in hardened Swiss Standard steel. Size: 20mm between the lugs. Pin 2.0mm. Drilled lugs. The 16550 is the Explorer II produced from 1985 to 1989 — only four years, the transition between the vintage 1655 and the 16570 of the Nineties.
The 16550 is the hidden piece of the Explorer II line. White or black dial (the Cream ones are the most sought-after for the patina they have developed over the years), 40mm case, fixed graduated bezel. Drilled lugs and 2.0mm pin: still fully vintage specification, before the transition to the 1.8mm of the 14060 and then to the modern 1.5mm.
The same spring bars on every 16550 of my collector clients.
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24/48h delivery
30-day return
Free from Italy only
Atelier since 1984
Milan
Swiss Standard steel
316L · 10,000 cycles
SKU: MS-IT-NS-RXSB-VG-ST-2020
Spedizione estimata in 2-3 giorni lavorativi
Estimated shipping: 2-3 business days (domestic), 7-9 days (European market), 15-21 days (international market).
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Domande Frequenti
Compatibile con
Orologi compatibili
The joy of little things
Changing your strap should be as simple as changing your shoes. With us, it is.
Every strap has integrated quick-release spring bars: swap it in one gesture, no tools, no risk of scratching the lugs. The same watch shifts mood with the moment.
Altre anse
Seleziona una collezione dal customizer.
Domande Frequenti
Is the 2.0mm pin on the 16550 really incompatible with modern watch straps?
Yes, completely. Modern Rolex straps (from 14060 onwards) use 1.8mm or 1.5mm pins. If you try to force a 2.0mm bar into a modern spring, you risk enlarging the spring holes and damaging the strap. Conversely, a 1.8mm pin will rattle inside the lugs of a 16550. These bars are specific to the 16550 and Explorer II models until 1989.
Can I use these spring bars on other vintage Rolex watches from the 1980s?
Only if they have drilled lugs and 2.0mm pins. Most 1980s Rolex watches have since undergone bracelet or lug substitutions — it is rare to find a 16550 with original components intact. Verify the pin diameter with a caliper before purchasing. If your watch already has bars installed, measure it: if it is 2.0mm, you are good.
How long does a 20mm Swiss Standard tempered bar last before failure?
Swiss Standard tempering guarantees significantly superior fatigue resistance compared to soft steel. If installed correctly (without forcing) and used with a quality bracelet, they last for decades without issues. Failure depends more on the number of strap removals than on time: each time you load them, you stress the bar.
How do I install two 2.0mm bars without damaging the drilled lugs on the 16550?
Use a spring bar tool with blunt tips (not pointed). Position the tool in the lower groove of the bar, push downward and laterally to compress the springs, then slide the end into the lug. Proceed slowly: the drilled lugs on the 16550 are in vintage steel, less elastic than modern ones. If you feel excessive resistance, stop and check alignment.